Ukraine war updates: daily briefings as of March 18, 2016

NEWS

(1) The situation remains tense in the war zone in eastern Ukraine: Russian armed forces opened fire 42 times over the last day, including 27 times on Donetsk direction and 15 times on Mariupol direction;

(3) Donetsk direction: each 3d shelling fulfilled by the Russian forces from the heavy arms on this direction; Russian forces massive 82-mm and 120-mm mortar launchers shelling on Ukrainian positions took place near Luhanske and Zaytseve; Ukrainian troops twice came under Russian snipers fire in the area of Donetsk airport; Russians also opened fire from small arms in Bakhmutyvsky district at Ukrainian mobile group; civilian car were shelled by Russian forces as well, the driver wounded;

(4) Mariupol direction: Russian forces used mortar launchers 7 times against Ukrainian positions near Novotroytske, Vodyane and Shyrokino as well as APCs and sniper fire; Russian armed forces also fired at Ukrainian positions in Maryinka with the use of small arms;

(5) 1 Ukrainian serviceman killed in action in the war zone in eastern Ukraine over the last 24 hours and 3 Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action.